Freddie Freeman's spectacular 2013 season gives Atlanta the edge at first base over the Dodgers in their division series. MIKE ZARRILLI, GETTY IMAGES

TALE OF THE TAPE

DODGERS CATEGORY BRAVES

92-70

Record

96-66

10 (Aug. 7-17)

Lng win strk

14 (July 26-Aug. 9)

8 (May 1-10)

Lng losing strk

4 (three times)

649 (7th)

Runs

688 (4th)

.264 (3rd)

Batting avg.

.249 (9th)

.326 (3rd)

OB pct.

.321 (6th)

.396 (6th)

Slug. pct.

.402 (2nd)

.252 (6th)

BA/RISP

.251 (7th)

138 (10th)

Home runs

181 (1st)

1,146 (12th)

Strikeouts

1,384 (1st)

582 (3rd fewest)

Runs allow.

548 (fewest)

3.25 (2nd lowest)

ERA

3.18 (lowest)

3.13 (lowest)

Starting ERA

3.51 (5th lowest)

3.49 (9th)

Bullpen ERA

2.46 (lowest)

19 (sixth)

Blown saves

16 (T-10th)

Note: Ranking is in NL unless otherwise indicated

BILL PLUNKETT

CATCHER

Braves’ Brian McCann vs. Dodgers’ A.J. Ellis

McCann has much more power but less patience. Ellis is a smart hitter, but not a particularly hot one at the moment. His advantage comes on defense, where he has thrown out potential base-stealers nearly twice as well as McCann. Edge: Even

FIRST BASE

Braves’ Freddie Freeman vs. Dodgers’ Adrian Gonzalez

This one’s not as close as it might seem. Freeman is a great hitter who closed the season with a fantastic September. Gonzalez is a consistently good hitter who rarely reached great heights in 2013. Edge: Braves

SECOND BASE

Braves’ Elliot Johnson vs. Dodgers’ Mark Ellis

Johnson is pretty clearly the worst position player in the series. Ellis is exactly the type of player the Braves could have used in their infield, instead of the horrific Dan Uggla and now the journeyman Johnson. Edge: Dodgers

SHORTSTOP

Braves’ Andrelton Simmons vs. Dodgers’ Hanley Ramirez

Two of the three or four best shortstops in the majors, Simmons and Ramirez make for an incredibly intriguing matchup because they derive their value so differently. On his game, Ramirez is the best hitter in the series. Simmons is probably the best defender in the majors. Edge: Even

THIRD BASE

Braves’ Chris Johnson vs. Dodgers’ Juan Uribe

Uribe is the second-best defender in the series and the Dodgers’ likely No. 5 hitter. Johnson had a great, if lucky and aberrant, offensive season, but Uribe’s solid offensive production earns him the decision. Edge: Dodgers

LEFT FIELD

Braves’ Evan Gattis vs. Dodgers’ Carl Crawford

The series’ X-factor seems likely to come from this spot. Both had excellent Aprils and Septembers, with mostly middling work in between. Crawford has the defensive edge, but Gattis has the big power advantage. Edge: Even

CENTER FIELD

Braves’ Jason Heyward vs. Dodgers’ Skip Schumaker

Because he regressed some after his remarkable rookie season in 2010, Heyward is often forgotten, but he’s improved tons since and is now an underrated all-around talent. Schumaker is overmatched in center with Matt Kemp out. Edge: Braves

RIGHT FIELD

Braves’ Justin Upton vs. Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig

Puig and Upton aren’t all that different, actually, as dual power and speed threats. Obviously Puig had the better season, but considering experience and Upton’s past playoff prowess, this is probably a pretty level matchup. Edge: Even

STARTING PITCHERS

Game 1:Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in the majors rolling into the playoffs on the strength of two great starts. Atlanta’s Kris Medlen had a better September and has more recent postseason experience, but his overall body of work is not comparable. Edge: Dodgers

Game 2: The Braves’ Mike Minor is a big-time young talent who had success against the Dodgers in 2013, but he was merely average after the All-Star break. Zack Greinke did get lit up in the 2011 playoffs with the Brewers, but he got better as the season went on in 2013. Edge: Dodgers

Game 3:Hyun-Jin Ryu and Atlanta’s Julio Teheran are expected to finish back-to-back in the NL Rookie of the Year race – at Nos. 3 and 4 – and both exceeded expectations this season. Edge: Even

Game 4: If this matchup were taking place a month ago, it wouldn’t be a question. But Ricky Nolasco has been struggling mightily for the Dodgers and the 37-year-old Freddy Garcia had three great September starts for Atlanta. In what could be the deciding game, it’s hard to pick the colder pitcher. Edge: Even

BULLPEN

Atlanta had the best relief ERA in the majors in 2013. The Dodgers were in the top half of the league, but more than a run worse than the Braves per nine innings, a sizable gap. Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel is the best closer around, and righty-lefty set-up men David Carpenter and Luis Avilan combined for a 1.65 ERA in 130-plus innings. Brian Wilson has thrown one-tenth of those this season, but will likely be the eighth-inning bridge to dominant closer Kenley Jansen for the Dodgers. Left-hander Paco Rodriguez fell off in September, but fellow southpaw J.P. Howell is surging and could be asked to get Freeman out nightly. Edge: Braves

BENCH

Both teams are likely to have big-name outfielders here, but for much different reasons. Atlanta’s B.J. Upton hit an anemic .184 this season – and .106 as his playing time diminished in September – but made the Braves’ playoff roster anyway. Andre Ethier’s sprained left ankle is expected to prevent him from starting in center for the Dodgers but allow him to pinch-hit. Jordan Schafer and Reed Johnson are capable lefty-righty pinch-hitters for Atlanta. Michael Young and Scott Van Slyke should be the Dodgers’ top bench threats. Edge: Even

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